You see a set of tattered curtains blocking the way to another room. A strange cage-like…

You see a set of tattered curtains blocking the way to another room. A strange cage-like trinket dangles from the curtains.

Pull the curtains open.

You see a dimly lit room full of dusty furniture and trash. A doorway stands in the back, covered in dozens of scary little Semenese wards, your shadow looming over it like an omen.

A small terrified "Oh!" escapes from Plaisance, as she tries her best to look away, her round face buried in her hands.

You see a dimly lit room full of dusty furniture and trash. A doorway stands in the back, covered in dozens of scary little cage-like trinkets, your shadow looming over it like an omen.

[Ignore the curtains.]

You see a tattered set of curtains and a polyhedron-shaped cage-like trinket.

Take a peek behind the curtains.

The room behind them is dim... You can only discern shadowy silhouettes of things there, crouching in the dark like monsters in a child's bedroom.

A faint slice of light from the curtains reveals a doorway in the back, draped in cage-like polyhedrons. They are all made of fish heads and tiny animal bones; it looks like a small graveyard...

We must be dealing with seriously malign forces here if there are dozens of wards.

"What do you see?" the lieutenant asks, whispering conspiratorially.

"I see more of those little trinkets. It looks pretty insane."

"Spooky," the lieutenant comments. "Quick, she's turning around..."

"What are you doing there, officers?" The shopkeeper turns around right as you manage to close the curtains. "I told you not to play with the curtains... Please browse the books, sir!"

"I see monsters crouching in the dark."

"No, what do you really see?"

"There's a door in the back. Wonder where it leads..."

"To the cellar?" the lieutenant suggests. "Quick, she's turning around..."

"Honestly, I can't really see anything. It looks like a regular back room to me."

"I see," the lieutenant nods, before looking at the shopkeeper: "Quick, she's turning around..."

"Spirits, from the darkest realms, rising to greet us..."

"You're hopeless," he sighs. "Quick, she's turning around..."

(Rip them apart, this time for real.)

You see a dimly lit room full of dusty furniture and trash. A doorway stands in the back, covered in dozens of scary little Semenese wards, your shadow looming over it like an omen.

"I warned you! You are unleashing forces beyond your understanding!"

You see a dimly lit room full of dusty furniture and trash. A doorway stands in the back, covered in dozens of scary little cage-like trinkets, your shadow looming over it like an omen.

What's so eerie about those curtains?

Be wary of those mysterious ornaments from the dark isles.

I prefer to just not think about it...

Dark isles? What's going on?

Do you know what takes place upon mist-shrouded Semenese islands? Don't listen to Encyclopedia -- they're inhabited by shamans and wildmen practising unnatural mysticism.

Yes, I've sensed that. It's terrifying.

They lurk in the tropical pale of Semenine, casting strange magicks on everyone! Ignore the curtains -- or suffer the consequences...

So the Remote Viewers Division... is real? I am it. And I am up to the task!

Wait... What?

Yeah, actually... this is bullshit.

Not so! You sense their strange magicks, cast from the dark forests they writhe around in. Don't believe it? Go ahead, straight through the curtains. Suffer the consequences.

What's the hang-up? Mystical spirits, unnatural emanations -- nothing a para-detective can't handle. Let's go!

Okay... you're one of the initiated. Then go ahead and fiddle with the curtains. But do so at your own PERIL.

You're out of line.

Do you realize what's out there? Upon the mist-shrouded islands of Ile du Fantôme, in Semenine? Eerie pygmies and wild shamans practising unnatural mysticism?

Examine the strange cage-like trinket.

You see some kind of charm -- an irregular polyhedron, assembled from bones, sticks, and straw. Inside, a disturbing fish-head with empty eye sockets stares at you.

From the looks of it this is a traditional Semenese ward, meant to provide protection against ill luck, bad dreams, curses, and other supra-natural scourges.

And who are the Semenese?

Inhabitants of Ile du Fantôme or the Semenine Islands down south. Don't listen to what Inland Empire told you -- it's a beautiful place with a rich and unique culture...

Aside from poking at it -- suspiciously -- there is nothing else to do with the fish-head charm at this time. The curtains remain shut before you.

Inhabitants of Ile du Fantôme, the Semenine Islands down south...

(Pull open the curtains.)

Just as you're about to pull apart the curtains, the petrified voice of the shop owner cries out once more:

"Sir, don't touch that! I told you it's off-limits for the customers!" Her hand has closed around her pendant, her fingers nervously playing with the talisman.

"Para-psychologically speaking -- we're done if you decide to open them. I won't be held responsible for the consequences! It's too dangerous!"

She looks away, mumbling: "Why is everyone always messing with the curtains, why can't they just buy books like normal people..."

"But I sense this place calling for me. I must investigate beyond the threshold!"

"You do?!" She grabs her pendant again, visibly shaken. "My god, even more reasons to not mess with the curtains... Just step away, dear sir!"

"Alright, I'll think about it for a while..." (Continue.)

"Thank you!" The shopkeeper lets out a loud sigh. "Let's just talk about this first, alright? There's no reason for you to venture into the unknown..."

What are you, a coward? Think about the marvellous adventures waiting for us on the other side!

Talking is always good. Go see what she has to say.